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Locker, Mettenberger connect with Hunter for TDs

Locker, Mettenberger connect with Hunter for TDs

Justin Hunter (15) of the Tennessee Titans runs in a pass for a touchdown in front of Rafael Bush (25) of the New Orleans Saints during a preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Friday in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

By TERRY McCORMICKtitansinsider.com

NEW ORLEANS — The new and improved Jake Locker passed his first real test of the preseason in the Titans second preseason game, a 31-24 loss against the New Orleans Saints.

Locker hit on 8 of 11 passes for 75 yards and a touchdown in leading the Titans to a 10-7 advantage when he exited the game with 5:58 left in the first half.

Locker’s best work came on the opening drive, in which he hit on 4 of 5 passes, culminating the touchdown march with a 4-yard pass to Justin Hunter on a perfectly thrown ball into the back corner of the end zone. The TD evened the score after the Titans allowed the Saints to score on the game’s first possession, the second week in a row that has happened.

“I think it was a good response to them taking the ball down and scoring. That’s what you look for is how you respond,” Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt said.

It was a markedly better effort from the first team offense over the preseason opener, as that was ruined by a torrential downpour at LP Field.

Locker’s only miss on the drive was on a pass where he threaded the needle to Delanie Walker, but Walker could not hang on as he turned upfield. The play was originally ruled a catch and fumble, but was overturned on replay, allowing the Titans to continue the drive that tied the game at 7-7.

Locker’s only real misfire of the night actually worked out well too. Locker threw a pass that should have been intercepted by the Saints, but it bounced into the air and Kendall Wright caught the ball for another completion.

After Locker’s departure, the Titans play became considerably sloppier, as Tennessee lost four fumbles and rookie Zach Mettenberger threw an interception.

Greene hurts knee

Titans running back Shonn Greene suffered a right knee injury in the second quarter of Tennesse’s preseason game with the New Orleans Saints.

Greene fumbled on the play and was down on the field for a couple of minutes before leaving and favoring the leg.

According to preliminary reports, Greene tweaked the knee and did not return in the game. Greene had arthroscopic surgery on his knee twice since the start of the 2013 season, the last time in early May.

Mettenberger shows off skills

Titans backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst suffered an injury to his throwing hand in the second quarter of the preseason game against the New Orleans Saints.

Whitehurst did not re-enter the game, and the injury opened the door for rookie Zach Mettenberger (LSU), who took advantage of the opporutunity.

Mettenberger, playing against the second team when he came off the bench, completed 11 of his first 12 passes and had a touchdown pass of 64 yards to Justin Hunter among that, but was also victimized by turnovers again. He fumbled once while trying to pass and was intercepted once by Vinnie Sunseri. Another of Mettenberger’s passes was complete, but fumbled by receiver Derek Hagan.

Mettenberger also picked up another late touchdown throw when Chase Coffman caught a pass that deflected off of Marc Mariani.

In all, Mettenberger was 20 of 25 for 269 yards and the two scores.

Hunter has big night

After being labeled as “Just Another Guy” earlier in the week, Justin Hunter took a step toward being something more Friday night for the Tennessee Titans.

Hunter showed his athletic ability, catching a four-yard touchdown pass from Jake Locker in the back corner of the end zone on the Titans opening series.

Later, the former University of Tennessee hauled in a pass from rookie Zach Mettenberger over the middle and racing to the end zone for a 64-yard touchdown reception.

In all, Hunter finished with four catches for 111 yards, something the Titans hope to build upon as they count on him to be a big part of the offense this season.

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